While concerns about Wild’s superb form meant that some of the others tried to get clear before the finish, Becker helped to keep things together and to pave the way for yet another win by her team-mate.

“Even after four wins it is still very special to win,” said Wild, who has now taken four out of the five stages run thus far. “I knew I was in good shape, but I didn’t think it was this good. At the moment I am in a flow, everything works and falls into place.

“It isn’t that I don’t have to work for it, or that is doesn’t hurt, but when it goes like this, hurting is not that bad and you are able to keep on going. The team did an amazing job today, the girls in the bunch kept pressure from the back and Charlotte countered all the attacks and did a great lead out for me in the final kilometre.”

Wild led the race until Friday morning’s time trial, where Van Dijk swooped to take over at the top.